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Maybe we’ll leave in two weeks WXV Global Series break — albeit with Spain meeting with South Africa in the middle — but there’s plenty of time to enjoy the weekend’s action.
Over the past few days, we’ve seen teams get back to winning ways, restore unbeaten streaks and even create some last-minute drama. And everything was brilliant.
Here are three talking points from the third weekend of WXV Global Series 2026 action…
The black ferns left no wonder
It’s interesting what can happen in a week. At the final whistle of Canada’s draw with the Red Roses at Sandy Park, the North Americans were asked about their decision to kick the ball out. immediately, Canada Head coach Kévin Rouet defended the decision, citing the fact that his team spent 20 minutes defending their own 22 metres.
Seven days later, the Black Ferns were camped at their own 22m with the clock in the red and the score 19-19. Instead of settling for a draw against the women Rugby World Cup The 2025 winners, the Whitney Hansen team decided to run it. Amy du Plessis’ pass was eventually picked out by Zoe Harrison, who made amends for her missed penalty just moments later to send the crowd of almost 60,000 at the Allianz Stadium into absolute chaos.
Of course, that moment is an absolute meltdown for Du Plessis and her team. But it told us something about this Black Ferns team and their new identity under Hansen.
The way in which New Zealand played their rugby is impressive, especially in their first year under a new coach. It’s one of the reasons we’ve also seen so many players thrive at Test level. Come next year to the British & Irish Lions Women tour and Women’s Rugby World Cup In 2029, you can expect them to cause huge problems on the world stage.
Wallaroos can now aim Scotland whitewash
Up to seventh in the world rugby rankings after a 30-10 win against Scotland in a rainy Edinburgh at the weekend, the Wallaroos must now target a three-game winning streak against the same opponents.
Games in Sydney and Canberra come in October. We’ve already seen glimpses of what the Wallaroos are capable of in losses England and France, even if both of those defeats were very frustrating affairs.
Against this Scotland side, who have seen no end of fluctuation since their quarter-final exit at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, Australia they have a chance to win three matches in a row for the first time since 2024 WXV 2 campaign.
A team that has made no secret of its desire to build greater squad depth and quality between now and its home Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029, Australia will see the statement Test whitewash against Scotland as an excellent benchmark.
After proving they are capable once, with a brilliant second half result on Saturday, now is the time to put it right.
Eagles are absolutely on the rise
Two wins in two for Jack Hanratty USA Female eagles in Europe. First three-game winning streak since 2006 — thanks to win against South Africa in July and WXV Global Series wins against Ireland and Wales. Freda Tafuna emerged as a test rugby star. Life in the red, white and blue is looking pretty good right now.
That win against Ireland will undoubtedly be the most impressive part of their European tour. Down 19 points in Dublin at one stage, the Eagles found a way to stay in the game, dominate and get the job done.
In Cardiff a week later, the USA impressed in a slightly different way. This time, it was their defensive resolve that spoke volumes as they kept Sean Lynn’s side at bay throughout the second half, while Tafuna’s 52nd minute try gave the visitors a 26-24 win.
What follows will be extremely interesting for the US. In October, they will play three tests: two against Italy — an Blue a side that has already been hot and cold in September – and one against the Red Roses at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey.
If the USA wins their pair of games against Italy, confidence will be high when England rolls into Harrison, New Jersey.
It took 20 years to win three matches in a row. It’s been 22 years since they won five games on the bounce. That streak took place over a period of two years. Maybe, with the wind at your back, seven games in a row is possible. For anyone wondering, the last time that feat was accomplished was in 1998.
2026 WXV Global Series Results | September
1st week
- England 48-15 Australia
- Canada 64-26 Scotland
- New Zealand 28-14 France
2nd week
- Wales 50-19 South Africa
- Italy 55-21 Japan
- England 26-26 Canada
- France 29-26 Australia
- Scotland 14-66 New Zealand
- Ireland 36-40 USA
3rd week
- Italy 29-41 South Africa
- England 26-19 New Zealand
- Wales 24-26 USA
- Scotland 10-30 Australia
- France 21-5 Canada
- Ireland 31-24 Japan
2026 WXV Global Series Schedules | October
4th week
- Friday, October 16, Canada v England, 00:00 (GMT+1)
- Saturday 17 October Australia v Scotland 03:00 (GMT+1)
- Saturday 17 October New Zealand v France 03:05 (GMT+1)
- Saturday, October 17, USA vs. Italy, 11:00 PM (GMT+1)
5th week
- Friday, October 23, Australia v Scotland, 09:45 (GMT+1)
- Friday October 23, Japan v Wales, 16:00 (GMT+1)
- Friday, October 23, Canada v England, 00:00 (GMT+1)
- Saturday 24 October New Zealand v France 03:05 (GMT+1)
- Saturday 24 October South Africa v Ireland, 14:00 (GMT+1)
- Saturday, October 24, USA vs Italy, 21:15 (GMT+1)
6th week
- Friday, October 30, USA vs England, 21:15 (GMT+0)
- Saturday 31 October Japan v Wales 07:00 (GMT+0)
- Saturday 31 October New Zealand v France, 08:15 (GMT+0)
- Saturday 31 October South Africa v Ireland 11:00 (GMT+0)